Millions of people gathered across Turkey today to commemorate one year since a devastating earthquake and its aftershocks killed over 50,000 people. In Antakya, the capital of Hatay, the worst-hit southern province, crowds held a moment of silence at 4:17 in the morning local time, marking the moment the quake struck. Protests broke out as residents continue to demand justice and accountability from authorities for poorly regulated constructions and for delays in responding to the disaster, which left many to die, trapped in the rubble amid freezing temperatures. Others gathered in Malatya to mourn the dead.

Mehmet Dogac: “I lost my children. I lost my daughter, son-in-law, my three grandchildren. It feels like I am living the same days again. … Only their memories are left, their photos. Their love is what is left. They are my children. What can I say? It is just difficult.”

The 7.8 earthquake and aftershocks killed some 6,000 people in northern Syria, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis after over a decade of conflict. Many who lost their homes are still sleeping in tents. This is a Syrian man who lost his home and remains unhoused along with his neighbor.

Sheikh Barakat: “He has nothing now. He is staying in this tent and has nothing. His situation is really bad. No one asked about him nor came to check. He is staying in the tent here. God help him and everyone. We are all staying in tents after a year of the earthquake. What can we do?”